Pulling-over machine



I. A. COOK.

PULLING-OVER MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR/14, 917.

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max 727a Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrrc u,

IRVING A. COOK, OF LANCASTER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF

PORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

runmne-ovnn MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented O t 26 1920 Application filedMarch 14, '1917. Serial m5. 154,817.

To all whom it may 0012 cam:

Be it known that I, IRVING A. COOK, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lancaster, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio,have invented certain Improvements in Pulling-Over Machines, of whichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicatinglike parts in the several figures. w

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of bootsand shoes, and particularly to machines for pulling the shoe upper intoconformity to the contour of the last. An important object of theinvention is to render machines of this class readily adaptable to thedifferent conditions presented by right and left crookedclasts with aminimum of attention or loss of time on the part of the operator. V

Pulling-over machines, as commonly constructed, include grippers forengaging and pulling the upper at opposite sides of the forepart ofthevlast and a gripper, or grippers, for pulling the upper at the toe,together with a heel restwhich determines the position of the heel endof the last. It is important for the best results inthe upper pullingand fastening operationsthat the toe gripper engage and pull the upperin substantially symmetrical relation to the opposite sides of the toeof the last. In operating with right and left crooked lasts, however, inwhich the angular relatlon-ot the forepart and the heel part is oppositein the two lasts of a pair, there is a tendency for the toe end of thelast in the pulling over operation to be displaced to one side or theother of the toe gripper in such man- 'ner that the upper may not bepulled symmetrically and evenly at the toe and in some classes of shoes.the subsequently driven toe tack may be unduly displaced to one side orthe other of the last. In order to avoid these conditions variousadjustments of the toe or side grippers or of the shoe positioninginstrumentalities. have beenproposed, but such adjustments, where used.have required a considerable amount of the operators time and resultedin a sub stantial decrease in production.

p This invention aims to provide a construction adaptable to thedifferent condiside. grippers in such manner as to permit them to bemoved together laterally of a shoe by pressure of the work or oftheoperators hand against one of them without them. It is contemplated inthe use of this construction that the lateral. position of the toegripper may remain consta'nt, although the invention in its broaderaspects isnot thus limited;

any shoe PATERSON, NEWJERSEY, A (703- substantially altering thedistance between and with this arrangement the operator is enabled topresent to the machine in the proper relation to both the side and thetoe grippers, such change of position of the side grippers as may benecessaryfor anyparticular shoe effected simply by pushing;

being readily them transversely of the machine before or during thepresentation of the shoe. The

side grippers may have their usual function, under the influence ofoverdraw springs, of drawing the edges of the upper over the margin ofthe last bottom prior to the tacking operation; and as applied to a wellknown type of machine in which the overdrawing movement of the grippersis controlled by a wedge which is movable sub- 7;

sequently to spread the grippers to shoe receiving position, thisfeature of the invention has been embodied 111 a construction includinga wedge which 1s laterally movable to permit the movement of the side Ingrippers transversely of the machine. the construction shown the wedgeis pivoted for lateral movement the extent of which is limited todetermine the correct positions of the side grippers.

The invention provides, as afurther feature, means for normallymaintaining the side grippers in one lateral position, as for operatingupon one of the shoes of a pair,

while permitting them to be readily moved laterally into adifierentposition to operate.

for example, upon the other shoe. The op erator is thus afiordedassurance as to the position of the grippers when the machine has cometo rest after its operation upon a draw springs which are slightly outof balance. These springs act to position the side grippers laterally inthe machine at a time when no substantial frictional resistance isoffered to their action and therefore a slight difference in strengthbetween the spring on one side and the spring on the other side servesto position the grippers automatically on that side of the machine onwhich the weaker spring is located, as for example to position thegrippers always automatically to receive a left shoe. The springs may beso nearly balanced that a very small force is required to move thegrippers to. the opposite side of the machine into position to receive aright shoe, and in practice an operator quickly learns to do this bypressure of each right shoe against the gripper acted upon by thestronger spring, the weaker spring of course assisting him in effectingthis shifting movement of the grippers. The unbalanced overdraw springsare, of course, operative to draw the edges of the upper over the marginof the last bottom in the usual manner, and the purposes of theinvention are effectively served by the use of such springs incombination with. a

laterally movable wedge such as above de-' scribed. A part of theadvantage of this invention may be obtained by the use of this wedgewith balanced overdraw springs, in which case the operator will alwayspush the shoe laterally against the grippers to in sure the correctposition of the grippers for each particular shoe. but I prefer to usethe unbalanced springs in view of the saving of time which is therebyeffected.

The features of. the invention will now he more particularly describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings and will then be pointed outin the claims. The invention'is illustrated in its application to a wellknown type of pulling-over machine such as shown and described in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 1.029 387 granted on June 11,1912, upon theapplication of R. F. McFeely, and only such portions, of the machine asit is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the invention areshown and. will be described herein in detail;

In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of gripper controlling mechanism equippedwith the laterally movable wedge of this invention,

' and partly in section,

. partly.

, per bears.

Fig. .Zisa plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and with otherportions of thema chine including the unbalanced overdraw springs withwhich this mechanism is intimately associated shown partly in plan andFig. 3 is a'view partly in elevationand in sect-ion showing the sidegrippers and associated parts of the machine, and illustrating by fulland dotted lines different positions of the side grippers.

The machine comprises side grippers 2 for engaging and pulling the upperat opposite sides of the forepart of the last and a toe gripper 4 forpulling the upper at the toe. Operative movement is first imparted tothe several grippers to pull the upper, after which the side grippersare moved laterally toward each other and the toe gripper is movedrearwardly to draw the upper over the margin of the sole or innersole onthe last bottom, as described in the prior patent above mentioned, thegrippers being. guided in their overdrawing movement by guideways in aframe bracket 6. Overdraw springs 8 are effective with a constanttendency to force the toe gripper rearwardly and are operative to impartthe overdrawing movement to this gripper when such movement is permittedby the operation of a slide 10 which has a roll 12 at its front endagainst which the toe grip- Mounted for movement with the slide 10 is awedge block 14 which is engaged on its opposite sides by rolls on levers16. these levers having at their front ends swivel blocks 18 againstwhich the right and left side grippers are held by overdraw springsindicated at 20 and 22 respectively. these springs performing the samefunction for the side grippers as the springs 8 for the toe gripper. Theblock 14 thus acts as a side gripper positioning or spacing memher forholding the side grippers apart and controlling their movementslaterally of the shoe. It will be understood that the slide 10 is movedforwardly to spread the several grippers and thus to position them forthe receptionof the work, and is moved rearwardly to permit the overdrawsprings to force the grippers inwardly over the shoe bottom; theposition of the toe gripper being determined directly by the slide andthefpositions of the side grippers depending upon the relation of thewedge block 1 4 to the levers 16. The slide 10 is reciprocatod in timerelation to other operative movements of the machine, and may also beadjusted relatively to its operating means to change the positions ofthe grippers for shoes of different sizes bv mechanism associated with ahand wheel 23 and a rack 24:.

Patent No. 1,029,387. Similarly to the construction shown in saidpatent, the machine is also provided with means for adjusting the wedgeblock 14 relatively to the slide 10 to vary the distance between theside grippers without changing the position of the toe gripper, thismechanism comprising a screw 25 which is threaded in a block 26 on thelower side of the wedge'block l4 and is provided with a head 28 inengagement with lugs 30 on the slide to restrain the screw fromlengthwise movement and cause the wedge block to be adjusted along tothe slide by turning movement of the screw.

In carrying out the objects of this invention the wedge block 14 ispivoted at 32 to the block 26 and has tapering channels on its upper andlower sides to permit it to swing relatively to the slide 10 and theblock 26 a limited distance transversely of the machine, the limits ofthe movement being determined by engagement of the slide 10 with thesides of the upper recess or channel in the block 14:, the slide thusserving as a stop for the block. It will be evident that thisconstruction permits both side grippers to be swung together a limiteddistance transversely of the machine and relatively to the toe gripperwithout materially altering the distance between the two side grippers.Such movement of the side grippers may be effected by pushing againsteither one of the grippers in the direction of the desired movement,thus causing the wedge block 1% to swing on'its pivot while the springs20 and 22 continue to press the grippers inward as far as permitted bythe wedge block. For operating with right and left crooked lasts theside grippers may thus be so positioned relatively to thetoe gripper asto cause the latter to engage and pull the upper symmetrically withreference to opposite sides of the toe of the last, as will he evidentfrom a comparison of the dotted line positions of the different shoes ofa pair in Fig. 2. r a

In the construction shown the springs 20 and 22 are not of equalstrength, the springs 20 being stronger than the springs 22 enough toinsure that each time when the parts of the machine come to rest afterthe operations upon a shoe have been completed theside grippers shalloccupy the positions shown in the drawings at their limit of movementtoward the left. This construction saves the operators time both byaffording assurance of the normal location of the grippers and by makingit unnecessary to effect any adjustment except for one of the shoes ofthe pair. in the construction shown the stronger springs are on theright hand side of the machine to position the parts normally foroperation upon a left shoe, but it is, of course 'mmaterial on whichside the stronger springs are located. The relative strength of thesprings, moreover, is such that when the grippers are 'pushed overagainst the tension of the stronger springs they will remain in theposition to which they are thus moved while the machine is at rest, thetension of the stronger springs being insufficient to overcome thefriction of the parts particularly of lugs 36 in engagement with thebracket 6, in addition to overcoming the operator may use his handdirectly to push When the grippers are the grippers over. thuspositioned the upper will be engaged and pulled, and later fastened, atthe toe and the sides in the correct relationto the last.

When the grippers finally release the stock and during their return toposition for operating upon another shoe, the stronger springs will beell'ective to insure the normal lateral position of the side grippers.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of means constructedand arranged. to position said grippers with freedom for movementtogether in directions widthwisc of the last in response to lateralpressure against them while maintaining them substantially the samedistance apart to position them for operating r .spectively upon rightor left shoes.

2. In a machine of the class described,the combination with grippers forpulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of means for maintainingthe grippers in determined spaced relation, said means being mountedwith freedom for movement in response to lateral pressure against thegrippers to peri it said grippers to assume diiferentpost tions foroperating respectively upon right or left shoes.

3; In a ma :hine oi" theclass describcd,the combination with "ipersforp'ulling an upper at opposite siees of a last. of means. for holdin gsaid grlppers in sep tion, and yielding means for. forcing the gripperstoward each other in operative relation to said holding means, saidholding means being mounted with freedonr for movement transversely ofthe machine to permit the grippers to assume different po sitions foroperating respectively upon right or left shoes.

- 4a Ina machine of theclass described, the

combination with grippers for pulling an ited relaQ upper at oppositesides of a last, of a gripper positioning memb r for controllingrelative movements of the grippers widthwise of the last, said memberbeing arranged to space the grippers apart and mounted for movement topermit the grippers to be moved together laterally into positions foroperating respectively upon right or left shoes.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a mem her forholding said grippers in determined spaced relation, and springs formaintaining the grippersin operative relation to said member, saidmember being mounted for movement in directions to permit the grippersto assume different positions for operating respectively upon right orleft shoes.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a member forholding said grippers in determined spaced relation, and means formaintain ing the grippers in operative relation to said member, saidmember being pivoted'for movement transversely of the machine to permitsaid grippers to assume different lateral positions.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling -an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a member forholding said grippers in separated relation, springs for forcing thegrippers toward each other in operative relation to said member, saidmember being pivoted for lateral movement to permit the grippers toassume different positions for operating respectively upon right or leftshoes, and means for limiting the lateral movement of said member.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a wedgeshapedmember movable to vary the distance between said grippers, and means formain taining the grippers in operative relation to said member, themember being pivoted for additional movement transversely of the machineto permit the grippers to assume different lateral positions.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a member movable tovary the distance between said grippers, means for maintaining thegrippers in operative relation to said mem her, and a gripper spreadingslide along which the member is thus movable, the member having atapering channel in which said slide is received to permit also alimited lateral movement of the member.

10. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with grippers for pulling an upper at opposite sides of alast, of a wedge shaped member for holding the grippers in separatedrelation, and springs for forcing the grippers toward each other inoperative relation to said member, said member being adjustable indirections to vary the distance between the grippers and mounted alsowith freedom for limited movement laterally of the shoe to permit thegrippers to assume different positions for operating respectively uponright or left shoes.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a wedge member fordetermining the distance between said grippers, said member beingmovable lengthwise to vary the distance between the grippers, the memberbeing mounted also for lateral movement to permit the grippers to assumedifferent positions for operating respectively upon right or left shoes.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a toegripper, of side grippers, and means for positioning the side grippersin spaced relation, said positioning means comprising a spacing membermounted substantially between said side grippers for movement indirections widthwise of a shoe positioned in the machine to permitlateral movements of the side grippers with relation to the toe gripperwhile maintaining the side grippers substantially the same distanceapart.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a toegripper, of side grippers, said toe and side grippers being movable topull an upper and also to draw the upper over the margin of the bottomof a last, and means for controlling the overdrawing movement of saidgrippers including a wedge member between the side grippers, said memberbeing movable laterally to permit the side grippers to assume diiferentpositions with relation to the toe gripper for operating upon right andleft shoes.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of means constructedand arranged to position said grippers with capacity for movementtogether transversely of the machine into positions for operatingrespectively upon right or left shoes, and means for normallymaintaining said grippers in position to operate upon one shoe of a pairwhile permitting them to be moved together in response to pressure ofthe work or ofthe operators hand against them into position foroperating upon the other shoe of the pair.

15. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with grippers for pulling an upper at opposite sides ofa last, of a gripper positioning member mounted with freedom formovement transversely of the machine to permit the grippers to assume.

different positions for operating respectively upon right or left shoes,means for limiting the movements of said member in opposite directionsto determine the correct positions of the grippers for right and leftshoes, and

yielding means for normally maintaining the grippers at one of thelimits of movement determined by said. positioning member.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of a member forholding saidgrippers in separated relation, said member being mountedwith freedom for limited movement transversely of the machine to permitthe grippers to assume dilferent positions for operating respectivelyupon right or left shoes, and springs for maintaining the grippers inoperative relation to said member, the spring for one side gripper beingstronger than the spring for the opposite side gripper to cause thegrippers to assume a normal position for operating upon one of the shoesof a pair.

17. In a pulling-over machine, the combination with side grippers, of agripper spreading wedge positioned between them with capacity forlimited lateral movement, and unbalanced overdraw springs holding theside grippers in operative relation to the wedge.

18. In a pulling-over machine, the combination with side grippers, of agripper spreading wedge positioned between them with capacity forlimited lateral movement, and unbalanced overdraw springs holding theside grippers in operative relation to the wedge and normallypositioning the, grippers to receive one shoe of a pair, said springsbeing nearly enough balanced to permit the operator easily to push thegrip-.

pers into position to receive the other shoe of the pair. e

19. In a machineof the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of means forpositioning said grippers with capacity for lateral movement indirections widthwise of the last while maintaining them substantiallythe same distance apart, and spring means acting to maintain saidgrippers normally in one lateral position while permitting them to bereadily moved to another lateral'position by pressure of the work or ofthe operators hand against them.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of a last, of

means for positioning said grippers with" capacity for lateral movementin directions widthwise of the last, said positioning'means beingconstructed and arranged to cause both grippers to receive such lateralmovement in response to pressure of the 'WOlk or of the operatorshand'against one of them, and the machine being constructed to maintainthe grippers prior to their operation upon a shoe 111 any position whichthey as sume in response to such lateral pressure.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor pulling an upper at opposite sides of'a last, of meansformaintaining said grippers substantially a predetermined distance apartwhile permitting them to be moved together widthwise of the last intodifferent positions for operating respectively upon right or left shoes,and limiting means for determining said difierent positions of thegrippers.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination with shoepositioning means, of side grippers mounted to swing laterally of theshoe, means for maintaining said grippers substantially a uniformdistance apart while permitting them to be swung together into differentpositions for operating respectively upon right or left shoes, and astop device arranged to limit such swinging movement of the grippers andto determine said different positions.

23. In a machine of the class described, the combination with grippersfor engaging an upper at opposite sides of a last, of spacing meanspositioned substantially between the grippers and arranged to determinethe distance between them, said spacing means being movable widthwise ofthe last to permit the grippers to assume difi'erent positions foroperating respectively upon right or left shoes, and means for limitingthe movement of said spacing means to determine the correct positionsfor the 'difierent shoes.

24. In a machine of theclass described,"

of the grippers the combination with grippers for engaging an upper atopposite sides of a last, of spacing means for determining the distancebethe combination with grippers for engaging tween said grippers, andspring means acting to press said grippers toward each other and to holdthem in operative relation to thespacing means, said spacing means beingmovable in response to pressure against the grippers to permit thegrippers to be dis-,

placed together. widthwise of the last to position them 7 for operatingrespectively upon right or left shoes.

26. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with shoe positioning means and opposite side grippers,of means for causing said grippers to assume automatically a laterallyoffset relation to the shoe positioning means suitable for op eratingupon one of the shoes of a pair said means being responsive to pressureagainst the grippers to, permit adjustment of the grippers at the willof the operator into position for operating upon the other shoe 10 ofthe pair. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' IRVING A. COOK.

